How to remove Dharma-AUDIT Ransomware and decrypt .AUDIT files

What is AUDIT Ransomware

AUDIT Ransomware is yet another version of notorious ransomware virus from Crysis-Dharma-Cezar family. Now it adds .AUDIT extension to encrypted files (please, do not confuse with Nessus Pro’s report files). This variation of ransomware currently doesn’t have decryptor, however, we recommend you to try instructions below to recover affected files. Dharma-AUDIT Ransomware appends suffix, that consists of several parts, such as: unique user’s id, developer’s e-mail address and, finally, .AUDIT suffix, from which it got its name. The pattern of filename modification looks like this: file called 1.doc will be converted to 1.doc.id-{8-digit-id}.[{email-address}].AUDIT. Here is the list of extensions discovered on ID-Ransomware to this moment:

.id-{id}.[payransom@qq.com].AUDIT

After finishing the encryption, virus creates 2 text files (ransom notes): FILES ENCRYPTED.TXT and Info.hta in the folders with encrypted files and on the desktop. Files contain informational message and instructions to pay the ransom. Info.hta has following content:

All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail payransom@qq.com
Write this ID in the title of your message XXXXXXXX
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to theese e-mails:payransom@qq.com
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click 'Buy bitcoins', and select the seller by payment method and price.
https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

FILES ENCRYPTED.TXT is the short text file, that encourages users to contact the hackers with such message:

all your data has been locked us
You want to return?
write email payransom@qq.com

According to our information, hackers demand $10000 ransom from the victims. Bad news are, that using cryptocurrency and TOR-hosted payment websites makes it almost impossible to track the payee. Besides, victims of such viruses often get scammed, and malefactors don’t send any keys even after paying the ransom. Unfortunately, manual or automatic decryption is impossible unless ransomware was developed with mistakes or has certain execution errors, flaws or vulnerabilities. We do not recommend to pay any money to malefactors. However, good news are, that often, after some period of time security specialists from antivirus companies or individual researchers decode the algorithms and release decryption keys or police finds servers and unveils the master keys. For your information, some files can be restored by using backups, shadow copies, previous versions of files or file-recovery software. Realize steps in this tutorial to remove Dharma-AUDIT Ransomware and decrypt .AUDIT files in Windows 10, 8, 7 effortlessly.

How AUDIT Ransomware infected your PC

AUDIT Ransomware uses spam mailing with malicious .docx attachments. Such attachments have malicious macros, that runs when user opens the file. This macros downloads executable from the remote server, that, in its turn, starts encryption process. Virus can also use Remote Desktop services to infiltrate victim’s PCs. It is important to know, that this ransomware can encrypt mapped network drives, shared virtual machine host drives, and unmapped network shares. It is necessary to control access to network shares. After encryption, the shadow copies of the files are deleted by the command: vssadmin.exe vssadmin delete shadows /all /quiet. Virus assigns certain ID with the victims, that is used to name those files and supposedly to send decryption key. In order to prevent infection with this type of threats in future we recommend you to use SpyHunter and BitDefender Anti-Ransomware.

How to decrypt and restore .AUDIT files

Use automated decryptors

There is no purpose to pay the ransom, because there is no guarantee you will receive the key, but you will put your bank credentials at risk.

If you are infected with AUDIT Ransomware and removed it from your computer you can try to decrypt your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:

Using Shadow Explorer:

Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.

Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.

Right-click on a folder name and select Export.

In case there is other dates in the list choose alternative method.

If you are using Dropbox:

Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.

Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.

Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.

How to protect computer from viruses like AUDIT Ransomware in future

1. Get special anti-ransomware software

Use Bitdefender Anti-Ransomware

Famous antivirus vendor BitDefender released free tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as additional shield to your current protection. It will not conflict with bigger security applications. If you are searching complete internet security solution consider upgrading to full version of BitDefender Internet Security 2018.

2. Back up your files

Regardless of success of protection against ransomware threats, you can save your files using simple online backup. Cloud services are quite fast and cheap nowadays. There is more sense using online backup, than creating physical drives, that can get infected and encrypted when connected to PC or get damaged from dropping or hitting. Windows 10 and 8/8.1 users can find pre-installed OneDrive backup solution from Microsoft. It is actually one of the best backup services on the market, and has reasonable pricing plans. Users of earlier versions can get acquainted with it here. Make sure to backup and sync most important files and folders in OneDrive.

3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox

Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails is most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is SpamFighter. It works with various desktop applications, and provides very high level of anti-spam protection.

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